Texas Rising February 2010

Taking the High Ground

West Texas is fertile ground for agriculture

Don’t let appearances fool you. West Texas is fertile ground for business. The area is home to several colleges and universities, millions of acres of cotton farms, and a booming dairy industry that barely existed just a decade ago.

The High Ground of Texas is a coalition of governments and organizations with one shared mission: attract new industry to the West Texas region and keep business growing:

  • Developed in 1988
  • More than 75 members
  • Membership-based
  • Managed by 15-person board
  • Target industries include agriculture, dairy, manufacturing and ethanol and bio fuels.

A detailed member directory and community profiles are available on-line.

Regional attitude is ‘win for one is win for all’

by Michael Castellon

Economic development can be a finicky game of strategy, timing and networking.

West Texas governments from the Panhandle to the Permian Basin have a longtime friend to lean on for economic development – the High Ground of Texas, a coalition of more than 75 local governments and organizations, which strives to spur economic development and attract new industry to the region.

“We aggressively market the entire region and facilitate collaboration between communities,” says Lorie Vincent, executive director of High Ground. “Our success comes from that fact that we’re made up of local economic development corporations, cities, counties, utilities, and other organizations that not only compete with each other, but also compete together for the area. The region has adopted a ‘win for one is a win for all’ attitude that has produced some great results.”

The group underscores the value of doing business in West Texas, with a focus on work force, low cost of living, and a business-friendly economic climate that includes low taxes.

Since its formation in 1988, High Ground’s achievements have been broad, helping to attract manufacturing, wind energy and distribution centers to the area, as well as industries specializing in food processing, customer services and agriculture.

The organization has helped attract more than 50 dairies to the region, creating jobs in communities such as Muleshoe, Friona, Hereford, Brownfield, Plainview, Dumas, Dalhart, Dimmitt and Littlefield.

As a result of such a robust dairy environment, Hilmar Cheese Co. opened a $200 million plant in Dallam County in 2007. The dairy industry has created more than 1,500 jobs for the area. Pacific Cheese followed with a new plant in Amarillo and Watonga Cheese is building a new plant in Perryton.

Vincent says the organization continues to place an emphasis on manufacturing, renewable energy, and value-added agriculture projects — industries that remain especially strong throughout West Texas.

“Our area is especially ideal,” Vincent says. “We’re located in the center of the country, boast three international airports, rail systems, major Interstates and more than 20 colleges and universities. This helps us make a great spot to do business.”

The organization can provide site and labor data, manage site visits, and provide other assistance to groups who need help making a pitch to potential investors.

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